Guide to Cloud Architecture

Businesses face many challenges when operating on internal networks alone. When businesses want powerful computing and storage capabilities at a lower cost, they turn to cloud architecture for practical management of vital data. 

As computing and storage power has grown, businesses have increasingly turned to remote cloud-based solutions for their IT needs. This approach gives them more flexibility when choosing solutions that are right for them.  

Data storage and processing power are essential for businesses that want to compete in their fields. Cloud architecture has become an essential part of IT deployments, offering a unified framework for accessing vital internet resources within a specific ecosystem. 

Cloud Architecture: What Is It?  

When IT managers and small business owners use multiple technologies to create abstracted environments for managing, sharing, and storing data, they are effectively working on a cloud.  

By integrating shared hardware, software, and network equipment, businesses can build comprehensive data management solutions that allow them to securely leverage their data anywhere and anytime. 

Many components can be used to build cloud architecture environments. The use of data bases, software applications, and user-level devices to create production pipelines is essential for implementing targeted goals and driving success. 

What Does Cloud Architecture Look Like?  

Cloud architecture is generally designed by assessing existing workloads and building out solutions for connecting the various points on the network. This approach means creating tools for seamless communication between front end, back end, and client, allowing users to take advantage of the entire ecosystem. 

Modern cloud architecture uses virtualization software to deliver abstracted data management capabilities to businesses. With cloud architecture, users can interlock all their network components to make it easier to deploy software and secure important information against potential attacks.  

There are many important aspects of cloud-based data management solutions, including user-level software, equipment for storing important data and resources, and network tools and equipment. These elements work together to create unified ecosystems for storing, managing, and sharing important information.  

Types of Cloud Architecture 

With the right components, IT leaders and small business owners can build out solutions that take advantage of their particular infrastructure needs. Understanding the different types of cloud architecture will ensure decision makers can effectively maintain their service models without disruption. 

Cloud architecture gives users access to powerful cloud-native tools that they can use to instantly store and access important data at little cost. Public, private, hybrid, and mulitcloud solutions let businesses support their vision with the latest applications and data management capabilities.   

Public Cloud 

For many businesses, the number of resources and IT staff required to sustain their cloud architecture models can be overwhelming. This requirement can leave them without the proper support infrastructure and unable to deliver proper service to clients.  

The public cloud gives users access to shared resources on virtualized servers, allowing them to access more powerful equipment at a reduced price. Public cloud architecture is designed with multi-tenant access in mind, meaning users are both secure and free to use resources as they see fit.  

Private Cloud  

Although the public cloud offers many benefits to companies that need to quickly scale at a low cost, they also present an added vulnerability to network architecture.  

The need to move data offsite creates a point of attack that cybercriminals can use to gain access to restricted or private information. This weakness leaves users vulnerable when businesses are unable to keep up with growing threats. 

Businesses that want more control over their data opt to build their own internal private cloud services. By limiting cloud storage and computing to local networks, IT leaders and small business owners have an added layer of protection against potential malicious attacks.  

This protection is essential for ensuring important information isn’t lost, stolen, or destroyed. 

Multicloud 

For businesses that need more flexibility when deploying their cloud solutions, there are many options to choose from across different services and ecosystems.  

IT leaders and small business owners can take advantage of multiple service providers and platforms to create specialized cloud models. Multicloud architecture makes it easier than ever before to transfer, store, and access vital data.  

Cloud architecture capable of distributing digital assets across multiple hosts gives users improved storage and computing power. This setup means that employees have access to more applications, software, and support services that are targeted toward their end goals.  

With multicloud architecture, businesses can simplify their data management and create scalable enterprise solutions. 

Hybrid Cloud 

Sometimes, businesses have important internal architecture that they want to continue to use while also leveraging cloud-based architecture for data management and storage.  

When combining remote and on-premises cloud services, IT leaders and small businesses can build specialized environments that organically share resources across internal and external servers. 

Hybrid cloud architecture is a great way for decision makers to invest in cloud-based services and equipment while reducing costs. This approach allows IT professionals and small business owners to scale their cloud-based services as they need. Hybrid cloud architecture is a viable solution for businesses of all sizes. 

The hybrid cloud offers many advantages to users. By orchestrating a combined approach to cloud architecture, hybrid cloud users can create connected data management practices that are more agile and easier to manage. This setup gives them access to a unified platform for the automation of vital tasks. 

What Are the Benefits of Cloud Computing Architecture? 

Cloud computing architecture is a vital resource for businesses that would otherwise be unable to afford or invest in needed computing components.  

By leveraging network resources, cloud-based computing platforms give users access to powerful server-side capabilities for processing and storing their data. Cloud-based models offer secure access to applications and infrastructure that can be deployed in real time to meet critical needs. 

What is cloud-native architecture? Users looking for a modular approach to application development, deployment, and support can use cloud-native services to reduce workloads and define long-term operational goals.  

With cloud computing architecture, businesses can leverage the power of the cloud to design better software solutions that fit their needs. 

Different cloud computing architecture models offer their own unique benefits to businesses. Software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and logging as a service (LaaS) have specific strengths and weaknesses that users should be aware of when deploying their computing and storage solutions in cloud-based ecosystems.  

SaaS 

Traditionally, users have had to find, install, and update their own software, leading to increased IT investments that consume time and resources. With SaaS, companies can market their applications directly to users through cloud-based delivery models. 

By offering their services remotely, rather than through user-level installs, businesses have better control over how their software behaves, when it’s updated, and who has access to it.  

This control means better security and more options for end users. For businesses that need on-demand access to fast, secure, and up-to-date applications, cloud computing models offer a practical solution. 

PaaS 

Many businesses lack the internal architecture needed to successfully meet their growth targets. This lack can lead to slower innovation and the inability to find new clients. Businesses can use PaaS architecture to access the needed components for processing and storing important information.  

With PaaS systems in place, businesses have the advantage of powerful computing, storage, and communication without the overhead costs. PaaS architecture gives users the ability to remotely deploy full-scale environments for designing, building, and maintaining their own applications.  

By reducing the complexity of application development, PaaS cloud architecture enables faster turnaround and improved accessibility for users. 

LaaS 

When IT professionals and small business owners lack access to important metadata and user records, tracking errors and security issues can be difficult.  

This difficulty can leave them unable to help users and vulnerable to malicious threats and software glitches. LaaS gives businesses real-time oversight over data metrics so they can optimize performance.  

IT logging services are an essential part of cloud management. Logging services allow IT professionals and small business owners to identify potential threats and create mitigation strategies while reducing potential inefficiencies.  

Having policies and procedures in place for ensuring the validity and integrity of important data is essential for protecting users, reinforcing network security, and maintaining legal compliance.  

Why Enterprises Should Adopt Cloud Architecture 

Traditional computing architecture means ongoing investment in IT infrastructure. The rapid pace of technology development means that businesses must continuously invest in the proper equipment and services to meet their specific demands.  

With cloud architecture, businesses can take advantage of distributed data management capabilities that allow them to reduce their dependencies on internal solutions so they can focus on what’s important. 

Businesses that want the most out of their cloud architecture have many options for managing important data. Seagate Lyve Cloud is a leading cloud storage provider built with users in mind. With secure access to on-demand storage capabilities, Seagate Lyve Cloud offers predictable data management at a fraction of the cost. 

Cloud architecture gives enterprises greater computing power, more storage, and streamlined support services. Moving vital workloads to the cloud gives decision makers more flexibility when scaling their business models. With Seagate Lyve Cloud, you can store your data anywhere and migrate at any time.  

When you choose Seagate Lyve Cloud, you’ll have access to a fully managed data storage platform built with state-of-the-art cloud architecture. Talk to a Seagate Lyve Cloud expert today!